German Jews in America

Gerhard Falk is professor of sociology at Buffalo State College. He has been awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, the State University College at Buffalo President’s Award for Creativity, and the SUNY Research Foundation Award for Excellence in Scholarship.

Sociologist Falk addresses the experience of German Jews, most of whom entered the US in two waves: in the middle 1800s and then as refugees from Nazi Germany. German Jews are commonly comprehended as an elite group due to their education, occupational skills, Western cultural orientation, and accomplishments in business, finance, the professions, and other activities. Falk challenges this view. Providing a detailed summary of the group’s reasons for migration and patterns of adaptation to the US, he contends that their small numbers and flight from the Nazis meant that they were marginalized within the eastern European–dominated US Jewish community. Moreover, while the group was known for their achievements, the average German Jewish immigrant was more likely to be a small business owner than an accomplished statesman or financier. Despite their disadvantages, German Jews and their children made remarkable strides in adapting and contributing to US society. The book is packed with fascinating details about the population. Especially for readers interested in history, religion, and ethnic groups. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.

• AcknowledgmentsPrefaceChapter 1 — PrologueChapter 2 — The Germans Re-Invent JudaismChapter 3 — The Persecution of the German Jews, 1933–1941Chapter 4 — The Refugees Come to AmericaChapter 5 — Scientists, Professors and AcademicsChapter 6 — From Immigrant to Marginal ManChapter 7 — Assimilation, Acculturation and the ImmigrantBibliographyIndex